THE WELCH COMPANY
440 Davis Court #1602
San Francisco, CA 94111-2496
415 781 5700
rodwelch@pacbell.net


S U M M A R Y


DIARY: June 1, 1995 01:01 PM Thursday; Rod Welch

Visit by Bill DeHart on PMI communications conference.

1...Summary/Objective
.....Continuity of Professional Development
.............."What we have here is a
...........................F..A I L U R E
....................to COMMUNICATE!"
2...PMI wants 4 Events
3...Ahmet Taspinar & Rosanne Sykes
....."Catchy Sound Bites" - see work at ref SDS 17 line 117.
.....Survey on "communication" for Newsletter release as publicity is
4...Date of Events: Nov, Feb, June, Aug/Sep
5...Preliminary Conceptual Framework
......PMBOK
......Vision - Objective of Events
......................Communication and Community
......Methods
......The first two events might include aspects of planning theater
......The first event might treat generic communication in its
......The second event is about "What's new" and "What's missing!"
......The third event would be Asilomar. We might do a three day group
......The second day, would offer solutions from applying
......The 4th event would be a panel to get feedback from Asilomar
6...Proposal
7...Called Ahmet
8...Communications Scope


..............
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CONTACTS 
0202 - Taspinar Management Consulting                                                                                                                                     O-00000276 0101

SUBJECTS
PMI events, Communication Metrics workshop
Conceptual Scope - 4 Events
Failed Communications, Anger, Frustrations,
Leadership Broader Vision to Apply New

0906 -
0906 -    ..
0907 - Summary/Objective
0908 -
090801 - Follow up ref SDS 25 0000, ref SDS 21 9058.
090802 -
090803 - Today we considered scope of PMI events and set preliminary planning
090804 - issues; scheduled planning meeting with Ahmet and Bill for next week,
090805 - per meeting with PMI president, Rosanne on 950502. ref SDS 13 5830
090807 -  ..
090808 - Submitted ref DIT 1 0001 to Bill via internet confirming these
090809 - understandings. He will consider distribution to Ahmet as an aid in
090810 - preparing for meeting next Thursday.
090812 -  ..
090813 - Received ref DRT 1 0001 from Bill in the late PM, indicating he feels
090814 - the memo reflects our understandings.
090815 -
090816 -     He suggests holding off on updating Stan Watson until after our
090817 -     meeting with Ahmet next week, ref SDS 21 0004
090818 - ..
090819 - Submitted ref DIT 2 0001 transmitting these notes to Ahmet.
090820 -
090821 -    [On 950608 met with Ahmet, Bob and Bill. ref SDS 28 0001]
090822 -
090823 -
090824 -
090826 -  ..
0909 -
0910 -
0911 - Discussion
0912 -
091201 - Preliminary issues on objectives, strategies and scope are shown on
091202 - 950513, ref SDS 17 2068, and on 950517, ref SDS 21 9058
091204 -  ..
091205 - Bill has not yet talked to Mike Emery, Terry Morford and Chris about
091206 - participating on the team for a communication workshop.
091207 -
091208 -     We want to get a little further into the planning to see what
091209 -     requirements we have so that recruiting a team can be related to
091210 -     specific roles.  After we meet with Ahmet, further consideration
091211 -     can be given to this.
091213 -  ..
091214 - Bill brought the report for the 1991 Asilomar Conference which shows
091215 - the scope and detail involved in planning.  He will bring the one for
091216 - last year when we meet with Ahmet next week.
091218 -      ..
091219 -     Continuity of Professional Development
091220 -
091221 -     Our theme of communication this year is connected to the 1990
091222 -     Asilomar on Management Communications, ref SDS 1 6678, and the
091223 -     1994 Asilomar conference which covered the cause of mysterious
091224 -     mistakes, called Murphy's Law. ref SDS 6 5882  Communication
091225 -     Metrics holds that most managerial errors are caused by continual
091226 -     "miss-communication."  Thus, we have the classic line from the
091227 -     movie "Cool Hand Luke" delivered by the prison warden:
091228 -
091230 -  ..
091231 -
091232 -              "What we have here is a
091233 -
091234 -                           F  A  I  L  U  R  E
091235 -
091236 -                 ...to COMMUNICATE!"
091237 -
091238 -
091239 -        [On 950608 explained concept. ref SDS 28 9009]
091240 -
091241 -        [On 950629 presented concept to PMI board. ref SDS 30 0005]
091243 -      ..
091244 -     Our aim this year is to build on past PMI work to improve
091245 -     communication as the key to better management.  Peter Drucker
091246 -     points out that quality control for management is reducing
091247 -     mistakes, reviewed on 931130. ref SDS 4 3416  This requires a
091248 -     series of coordinated events, per our discussion at the May 17 PMI
091249 -     meeting. ref SDS 21 N66H
091250 -
091251 -
091253 -  ..
091254 - PMI wants 4 Events
091255 - Ahmet Taspinar & Rosanne Sykes
091256 -
091257 - Bill talked to Ahmet last night.  Ahmet wants to have 4 events this
091258 - year beginning in November, confirmed in our telecon (below) to set a
091259 - meeting for next week.  He wants one for each of the 3 geographic
091260 - areas of the membership:  SF, East Bay, and South Bay, plus Asilomar.
091262 -  ..
091263 - Ahmet wants to have a planning meeting with Bill and I next Thursday.
091264 -
091265 -     See telecon with Ahmet below.
091267 -  ..
091268 - Bill said Rosanne supports this agenda.
091269 -
091270 - ..
091271 - Coordination of Events
091272 -
091273 -     Bill is unsure if Ahmet wants all four events on communications,
091274 -     but at least several can be coordinated on this subject.
091275 -
091276 -     Bill recalled from his discussion with Ahmet that Cheryl Leff
091277 -     wants to do an event on "Construction."
091278 -
091279 -         This point requires clarification, see ref SDS 28 line 276.
091280 -
091282 -  ..
091283 - Advertising
091284 -
091285 -     We considered that moving the first event to November means less
091286 -     advertising in the PMI Newsletter, ref SDS 23 line 64. This could
091287 -     be supplemented by dedicated advertising.  It would cost a little
091288 -     more.  As well, we expect there could be at least 3 notices in
091289 -     PMI Newsletters of a November event.  This might be adequate.
091291 -  ..
091292 -
091293 -     "Catchy Sound Bites" - see work at ref SDS 17 line 117.
091294 -
091295 -     Survey on "communication" for Newsletter release as publicity is
091296 -     explained at ref SDS 17 line 90.
091297 -
091298 -
091300 -  ..
091301 - Date of Events:  Nov, Feb, June, Aug/Sep
091302 -
091303 - It appears we could do it Nov 18, which is a Saturday or the
091304 - following Saturday, Nov 25, which is the weekend before Thanksgiving.
091305 -
091306 -       [Followed up at ref SDS 28 line 292.]
091308 -  ..
091309 - Seems like the next event should be in February so there is an entire
091310 - month for people to recover from the Holidays.
091312 -  ..
091313 - Initially, it seems that the first two events could be followed by
091314 - Asilomar in June, so there is ample time to plan for this major
091315 - event, based on the results of the first 2 events.
091316 - ..
091317 - The final event could be a de-briefing affair on Asilomar to
091318 - report on preliminary findings and conclusions to support a final
091319 - report. It could be in August or at the September monthly meeting, as
091320 - a panel discussion.  This would require approval of the PMI board,
091321 - since a new team would be taking over events after June or July.
091322 -
091323 -
091325 -  ..
091326 - Preliminary Conceptual Framework
091327 -
091328 - Following up discussions with Ahmet and Stan Watson at the PMI
091329 - meeting on May 17, ref SDS 21 line 154, the following ideas were set
091330 - out today.
091331 -
091333 -       ..
091334 -      PMBOK
091335 -
091336 -      Bill and I reviewed the August 94 draft of the Guide to Project
091337 -      Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK - received from Bill Duncan
091338 -      at PMA event in Arizona, ref SDS 10 line 53), on communications,
091339 -      following up our discussion at the May PMI meeting, ref SDS 21
091340 -      line 200.
091341 -
091343 -       ..
091344 -      Vision - Objective of Events
091345 -
091346 -      We discussed presenting the four (4) PMI events this year as a
091347 -      review of the new PMBOK's treatment of communications in sections
091348 -      2 and 10 because of the dominant role of communications in
091349 -      management.
091350 -
091351 -           [See follow up at ref SDS 28 line 167.]
091352 -      ..
091353 -      The theme would be:
091354 -
091355 -
091356 -                      Communication and Community
091357 -
091358 -         Communication is the foundation of successful communities,
091359 -         requiring:
091360 -
091361 -                             •  leadership  *
091362 -                             •  understanding
091363 -                             •  follow up
091364 -
091365 -            * "Leadership" can include "entertainment" and other
091366 -              issues needed to gain attention, receptiveness,
091367 -              credibility, faith, all within the relm of motivation.
091368 -         ..
091369 -         Projects comprise a "community" of diverse skills,
091370 -         interests, experience and perspectives.  Communication focuses
091371 -         this diversity on common objectives, builds and maintains
091372 -         shared meaning over time so people can work together
091373 -         effectively, i.e., cooperate. ref SDS 8 line 91.  Therefore,
091374 -         communications is the predicate to all other management
091375 -         efforts, e.g., cost, schedule control, ref SDS 7 line 245,
091376 -         design, scope, quality and especially risk, ref SDS 8 line
091377 -         182.
091379 -       ..
091380 -      Each event would impart practical ideas attendees can apply, and
091381 -      attendees will provide input on communication needs and
091382 -      challenges they encounter in their work, ref SDS 21 line 232.
091383 -
091385 -       ..
091386 -      Results ------- PMI NCC would issue a report based on the
091387 -      results of these 4 events on the treatment of communications in
091388 -      the PMBOK.
091389 -          ..
091390 -          I gave Bill my copy of the new PMBOK Guide to support
091391 -          further review on this point.
091392 -
091393 -             [Got this at ref SDS 28 line 379.]
091395 -       ..
091396 -      Methods
091397 -
091398 -      The first two events might include aspects of planning theater
091399 -      and/or focus group communication methodologies to both expose
091400 -      attendees to the power of these methods, and to elicit input for
091401 -      planning the Asilomar conference, consistent with our analysis
091402 -      at ref SDS 21 line 238.
091403 -
091404 -          [See follow up ref SDS 28 line 109 and ref SDS 30 line 176.]
091406 -  ..
091407 -
091408 -      The first event might treat generic communication in its
091409 -      traditional role defined in PMBOK section 2.4.2 of talking and
091410 -      sending correspondence, motivation, and so on.  This would
091411 -      present ideas like Covey's empathetic listening, ref SDS 3 line
091412 -      360, communication planning with respect to information flows,
091413 -      executive techniques like "20 80", ref SDS 11 line 181. It could
091414 -      treat the issue of responsibility for understanding and
091415 -      completeness addressed in the PMBOK, per ref SDS 21 line 200, by
091416 -      explaining notice procedures [ ref SDS 31 line 134], and
091417 -      "partnering" methods.  The evolution of management practice as a
091418 -      function of changes in communication technology would provide a
091419 -      foundation for new ideas called
091420 -                     ..
091421 -                     Modern Project Management (MPM)
091422 -
091423 -          ...introduce the idea that traditional education and training
091424 -          in "communications" is inadequate for the practice of
091425 -          management, ref SDS 8 line 81.
091426 -
091427 -              [Followed up at ref SDS 28 line 89.]
091429 -            ..
091430 -           [See speaker on notice/partnering at ref SDS 31 line 134.]
091432 -  ..
091433 -      The second event is about "What's new" and "What's missing!"
091434 -
091435 -      It introduces emerging technologies and buz words.  This would
091436 -      review the technological explosion in recent years commonly
091437 -      called the "Information Highway," and its impact on the practice
091438 -      of management.  Modern Project Management (MPM) as part of this
091439 -      phenomena would be defined in the context of communication.  The
091440 -      burden of this exploding information environment would be
091441 -      considered in light of attendees experiences.  Communication
091442 -      Metrics could be presented as an emerging solution, along with
091443 -      other methods such as Lotus Notes, ref SDS 13 line 65, "Virtual
091444 -      Corporations," etc.
091446 -  ..
091447 -      The third event would be Asilomar.  We might do a three day group
091448 -      exercise to illustrate key considerations in communications,
091449 -      ref SDS 27 line 41.  Additionally, the first day could obtain
091450 -      input from attendees on their success and problems applying
091451 -      solutions offered in the first two events
091452 -
091453 -          "We tried Planning Theater but it didn't work because..";
091454 -
091455 -          "We tried Covey's idea to "Sharpen the Saw" by keeping a
091456 -          diary ref SDS 3 line 118, but it didn't work because there
091457 -          wasn't enough time."
091458 -
091459 -          "We tried MPM with CPM and Earned Value, but my people didn't
091460 -          tell the truth..," ref SDS 9 line 317.
091461 -
091462 -          "We tried SDS -- it improved our management, but doesn't
091463 -          align with our strategy -- we couldn't explain it., ref SDS
091464 -          14 line 80.
091465 -      ..
091466 -      The second day, would offer solutions from applying
091467 -      emerging MPM methods used at PG&E, AT&T, perhaps MK, Bechtal,
091468 -      Chevron, Turner, hopefully a high tech firm where Gopal, ref SDS
091469 -      12 line 31, Topflight and/or Project Management Mentors have
091470 -      provided training.  The third day would enable attendees to try
091471 -      out in groups the ideas presented the second day, so they can
091472 -      take with them something that will improve their work, their
091473 -      value, their income and the income of their organizations under
091474 -      the theory that successful communities require sound
091475 -      communications.
091476 -
091477 -             [See follow up at ref SDS 28 line 109.]
091479 -           ..
091480 -          [I think this is a good concept, but not sure how well it
091481 -          could be carried out.  These events should provide some spark
091482 -          and entertainment, along with insights.  The 3rd day is
091483 -          usually only a half day, and so to be meaningful, it should
091484 -          leave everyone an upbeat.  So I think this requires some more
091485 -          thought.  Actually, we need one more day for a closure.]
091487 -  ..
091488 -
091489 -      The 4th event would be a panel to get feedback from Asilomar
091490 -      attendees on their success and problems applying communication
091491 -      improvements from the 1st three events.  This might simply be a
091492 -      panel discussion at the September PMI meeting.
091493 -
091494 -           [See follow up at ref SDS 30 line 390.]
091495 -
091497 -  ..
091498 - Proposal
091499 -
091500 - We will take this up with Ahmet when we meet next week, on form and
091501 - content.  Someone needs to do this work.
091502 -
091503 -       [See follow up at ref SDS 28 line 479.]
091504 -
091506 -  ..
091507 - Called Ahmet
091508 -
091509 - We made a conference call to Ahmet while Bill was here.  Ahmet
091510 - confirmed he can meet here (the Welch office) next Thursday at 1300.
091511 - I gave Ahmet directions and the access code to the building.
091512 - ..
091513 - He feels fairly strongly about having 4 events under his watch,
091514 - and feels three should be allocated by region, plus Asilomar.
091515 -
091516 -
091518 -  ..
0916 -
0917 -
0918 - 1648 Bill called back
0919 -
091901 - He has a conflict with 1300 next Thursday.  He wants to meet oa 1800.
091902 - I agreed and offered to meet another day, if that helpf him and
091903 - Ahmet. He will discuss with Ahmet and advise.
091904 -
091905 -
091906 -
091907 -
091908 -
091909 -
0920 -

SUBJECTS
Purpose/Justification
Examples of Communication Issues

1104 -
1105 - Summary/Objective
110601 -  ..
110602 - Communications Scope
110603 -
110604 - Bill and I discussed the treatment in the PMBOK Section 2 of the need
110605 - to effectively impart intent and motivation, but overlooks the need
110606 - to discover gaps in understanding, and to ensure effective follow up,
110607 - embodied in "Communication Metrics," ref SDS 8 line 128.  The PMBOK
110608 - does not cover the relationship between time and information that
110609 - results in knowledge, ref SDS 8 line 97, nor the correlation between
110610 - communications and cost and schedule control, ref SDS 8 line 123.
110611 - Section 10 omits organic subject structure, and the integration of
110612 - formal correspondence with personal analysis and the entire work
110613 - flow.
110615 -  ..
110616 - Bill feels integration is a key point to present in our
110617 - seminar/conference events.  Another idea is the concept of controll-
110618 - ing the job by controlling the record, ref SDS 2 line 126, to overcome
110619 - the ravages of "feel good management" developed from the Cal Tech
110620 - seminar, ref SDS 2 line 385, and
110621 -
110622 -
110623 -
110624 -
1107 -

SUBJECTS
Subject Index

1203 -
1204 - Summary/Objective
120501 -  ..
120502 - It would be helpful if Bill could do a preliminary subject index for
120503 - this project to begin capturing our work by main areas, e.g.,
120504 - objective, scope, methods, team, advertising, etc.  Maybe we can work
120505 - on this when we meet with Ahmet.
120506 -
120507 -     [See follow up at ref SDS 29 line 42.]
120508 -
120509 -
120510 -
1206 -

SUBJECTS
Communications & Communication Metrics
Modern Project Management (MPM)
Re-Engineer Project Management
Examples of Communication Issues

1606 -
1607 - Summary/Objective
160801 -  ..
160802 - Follow up analysis at ref SDS 17 line 166.  What does he think of
160803 - explaining SDS as a way to apply communication metrics as part of MPM,
160804 - ref DIP 3 line 64.
160805 -
160806 -    Today, he seemed to support the notion of communication metrics as
160807 -    within the scope of MPM, per discussion with Wayne ref SDS 26 line
160808 -    144.
160809 -
160810 -        [See follow up at ref SDS 30 line 196.]
160812 -     ..
160813 -    I asked about his sense of the validity of the scenario aimed at
160814 -    illustrating how SDS is used to apply communication metrics. This
160815 -    was issued at ref SDS 18 line 78, via ref DIP 1 line 23.
160816 -        ..
160817 -        Bill will submit comments via internet.
160818 -
160820 -  ..
160821 - Bill feels it makes sense that the person who applies Communication
160822 - Metrics is a "Communications Manager," per ref SDS 24 line 52, and
160823 - ref SDS 24 line 78.
160824 -
160825 -
160826 -
1609 -

SUBJECTS
PG&E, Bill DeHart
Objectives/scope
Locate Decision Maker

1905 -
1906 - Summary/Objective
190701 -  ..
190702 - Has he had any follow up on his PG&E PM assignment prospects?
190703 -
190704 -    He had a meeting some time ago and learned the project is to
190705 -    manage a technology development project.  He has not heard any
190706 -    further.  I mentioned SDS would be ideal for this effort, using
190707 -    the model of SDS development itself.
190709 -     ..
190710 -    Bill plans to talk to Ron Swilling about considering SDS, per ref
190711 -    SDS 22 line 93.
190712 -
190713 -
190714 -
1908 -